How to Raise Happy Child/Children?

"It is not about smart children, it is about Happy Children who have the confidence and courage to learn and pursue things dear to their heart". -Alexandra Eiden. 

 Parenting journeying is not easy and sometimes drains you of all your energies. Though it's one of the most satisfying experiences. 

We all have had moments in the parenting journey where we have felt clueless and wondered if we were indeed doing the right thing.

We constantly trying to become a better parent. Today's scenario is completely different. Most of the homes are nuclear families. In the olden days, we had grandparents, who were experts in bringing up children. They adopted simple but very effective methods to raise their children.

Nowadays, we have workshops conducted by so-called couches who teach you parenting tips. These workshops give ideas on how to raise your child/children. 

It comforts new, young parents, in knowing that every parent faces some or other problems while bringing up their children. 

Parenting, though a satisfying and fulfilling experience, is only sometimes fulfilled. You have to be very creative whether you are punishing the child or rewarding her/him. 

Both should encourage the child to be better and not bitter. It is certain that through your journey as a parent, you are both, a teacher and a student. It is always a two-way process. 

You have to be a student and learn new methods of raising the children and a teacher to implement certain rules to raise happy and healthy children. Today's generation is highly perceptive and opinionated and definitely can teach us a thing or two.

Today's generation's (Both parents and children) attitude towards life is entirely new and refreshing. They are more practical and logical rather than emotional. While giving them a steady and secure life, every parent can learn lessons on life from their children. 

"To err is human".Making mistakes is not a crime. This should be strongly taught to every child. Gandhiji, the Father of the nation (India) had said, "Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes".

Children should have the ability to learn from their mistakes. This applies to parents also. We should not try to be a perfect parent (Anyhow, it's not possible), but always strive to be an excellent parent.  

In the present scenario, we are loaded with so much information that sometimes it's confusing to even think about it. 

Learn to be forgiving toward you and towards your children. The focus should be always on happiness. Happiness for both- you and your child/children. 

I came upon an interview by celebrity Mr Boman Irani where he gave his opinion, "Raising kids should entail helping or supporting them to pursue what makes them happy, and not make parenting about making or shaping careers".  

We are not here to race to win any awards as parents. Our main aim should be raising healthy, happy, caring and all-rounded children. Let them learn to be disciplined children. Moral values like honesty, kindness, and compassion will always be valued.

Remember, we have to make our relationships with our children strong with mutual respect, love, care and harmony. 

They should be courageous and confident to face the problems of life with a smile on their lips and determination and willpower in their minds. 

This is what parenting is all about. Happy children are more likely to turn into accomplished, successful human beings. 

The happiness of children depends on how happy you, as parents are. With advanced exposure to technology, children are drifting away from family and friends. Even when at home, 85% of children are glued to their mobile phones. 

Parents have to teach them the importance of relationships. Encourage the children to perform small acts of kindness to build empathy. Studies show that this will make them happier and healthier in the long run. 

Praise the child's efforts instead of asking them for the results. In the corporate world,, it is always efforts rather than results. Raising children should be easygoing, enjoyable, and effortless so expect your child to be only sometimes with 100% results. 

Teach your child/children to be positive and optimistic. Encouraging them for even a small thing is very important but to expect the best always makes the child withdraw from even making small efforts. 

Author Christine Carter says, "Optimism is so closely related to happiness that the two practically be equated".

Build a lasting happiness habit in your child. Don't push them to the edge to achieve a target or success. Take small steps to inculcate good habits in your child/children. 

Most importantly do not expect perfection immediately. Children may get distracted and that is very normal behaviour. Keep reinforcing.

Teach them to be conscientious. They have to be aware of the consequences of their bad behaviour. Teach them self-discipline. 

The importance of good health is an essential part of raising children. A nutritious diet, exercising, and avoiding junk food as far as possible, will make children happy for life. 

Many parents (Where both are working( think that fulfilling every whims and fancy of the child will make him/her happy. This is a dangerous misconception. 

Our grandparents used to instil in us the habit of happiness. They used to teach us how to live a basic and simple life, work hard, value relationships, keep our mind and body healthy, live a frugal life, manage money wisely and be happy with what we have. 

Live a contented life. Let us follow the ways of our grandparents to be happy, healthy and harmonious and make our children beautiful, responsible, healthy and happy adults. 

( Please share the post. Give me more suggestions to raise a happy child).